Qantas and its low-cost subsidiary JetStar are expanding their international network with the introduction of new destinations to India and South Korea starting this year, accelerating New South Wales’ post-COVID tourism recovery.
New destination in India
Qantas is expanding its offering to India with the introduction of a second destination to Bangalore (BLR) from Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) from September 14 with four weekly flights on Airbus A330s. Fares start at USD 1,349 roundtrip.
These will be the first non-stop flights between Australia and South India, reducing the travel time between Sydney and Bangalore, one of the world’s leading technology hubs and growing financial services, to three hours.
With a population of 13 million, the Bangalore community has strong connections to Australia for both business and VFR (friends visiting friends and/or family) travel. These services are expected to strengthen air trade activity between the two nations.
Qantas will continue to operate flights between Melbourne (MEL) and Delhi (DEL), making it the only airline operator to offer flights between Australia to North and South India.
“The signing of the Australia-India trade agreement is a driver of travel demand as trade and investment links expand between Australia and India’s billion-plus population,” said Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas Group.
Code-share agreement with IndiGo
Qantas intends to enter into a codeshare agreement with IndiGo, India’s largest airline, which will provide customers with access to more than 50 Indian cities.
The proposed agreement means that passengers of the Australian flag carrier will be able to transfer seamlessly from the carrier’s flights to Bangalore, Delhi, and Singapore to IndiGo’s services to other major Indian cities, as well as smaller ones such as Pune and Goa.
Under the planned agreement Qantas frequent flyers will be able to redeem IndiGo connecting flight points (QF code only) and IndiGo will recognize the Australian airline’s frequent flyer benefits for tier members (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum One). The partnership will be extended to JetStar customers and they will be able to book connecting flights through India’s largest airline operator.
Return to South Korea
Qantas and JetStar will begin non-stop flights to Incheon International Airport (ICN) later this year, offering customers options for business, premium leisure, and low-cost travel between Australia and South Korea.
JetStar will be the only low-cost carrier to offer flights between Sydney (SYD) and Seoul (ICN) with a frequency of three times a week operated on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners from November 2, 2022. Ticket fares are from USD 398 roundtrip.
Qantas will begin flights between Sydney (SYD) and Seoul (ICN) on December 10, 2022, on Airbus A330 aircraft, marking the carrier’s return from its last operation in January 2008. Ticket fares are from USD 1,224 roundtrip.
“South Korea is Australia’s fourth-largest trading partner and Koreans see Sydney as a major tourist destination. With strong demand expected for business, premium leisure, and low-cost travel on the route, we see an opportunity for both Qantas and JetStar to fly the route,” Joyce added.
International Reactivation in Australia
Since the opening of Australia’s borders, Qantas Group has flown nearly 500,000 passengers on its international services across 27 routes, with another six restarting next week. The group is expected to regain 40% of its pre-pandemic international capacity.
Qantas has added six new routes in the last six months including Perth – Rome (the carrier’s second European destination), Melbourne – Delhi, Melbourne – Dallas/Fort Worth, and Darwin – Dili, as it accesses new markets.
The new Qantas services are supported by the NSW Aviation Attraction Fund, which is funded by the state government and Kingsford Smith Airport. Similarly, Kempegowda International Airport also supported Qantas’ Sydney – Bangalore flights.
